@tig1: I hope when he's done he posts a copy of the schematics, because i'd love to do a conversion like that.

I am up to my armpits in alligators fighting fires without a paddle at the moment (I never metaphor I didn't like :-) But I'll try to remember to get back in touch with him and ask him how it's going and if he will share the results of his work with the rest of us.

I hope when he's done he posts a copy of the schematics, because i'd love to do a conversion like that. I just mentioned it to ppl at work and they're just as excited as i am about finding audio treasures from the past.

Being the only EE in my extended family, I inherited my grandparent's broken console-model wire recorder. In a burst of energy in my 30's, I pulled the electronics out, replaced a broken tube or two, then got it working. Because the motor bearings and transmission were worn out, it ran under-speed, and all the voices were low and slow. Powering it from a variac transformer, dialed up above 110Vac, I was able to 'tune' the speed, so that Grampa's voice sounded right. But it took about 5 muffin fans aimed at the electronics and motor, to keep it from thermal meltdown.

I discovered recordings of my Grampa's barbershop group singing on the radio, and also found a recording of my dad teaching my youngest uncle to talk.

Dubbed over to cassette tape, those copies made great Christmas gifts for the extended family that year.

Doesn't it feel strange saying stuff like that? It's like when I'm talking about my friend Brian Bailey and I say: "I attended a class Brian gave on SCAN technology around 30 years ago and I still have the notes."

But I refuse to get any older -- I'm going to hold at my current age for the next 100 years or so -- good grief, I'm only just starting my third chaildhood!